Three DSU Alumni Inducted into Del. Afro-American Sports Hall of Fame

Posted: April 18, 2011

Jimmy Strong

Three alumni of Delaware State University were among the 2011 inductee class of the Delaware Afro-America Sports Hall of Fame (DAASHF) during a ceremony on April 16 at the Modern Maturity Center in Dover.

Among the DSU inductees were:

Former Hornet football star Jimmy Strong, class of ’66 – The DAASHF recognized him for his stellar years as an All-Conference (CIAA) honoree at two positions: punter (1962-64) and defensive back (1961,1964). He finished his Delaware State College career with 28 interceptions and a 43-yard punting average. After playing football for the Wilmington Clippers (1966-1967), Mr. Strong returned to DSC in

James H. Solomon, Jr.

1968 where he served over the next 11 years as a Hornet assistant football coach. The resident of Ellenwood, Ga., was inducted in the DSU Athletics Hall of Fame in 1988.

James Solomon, class of 1990 and 2007, was inducted for the athletics mark he has made as a boys and girls track coach for 24 years at Dover High School. During that time, he has coached his teams to five state championships and six times as runner-up. At the conference level, his teams have won eight dual meets and 10 conference meets. During Coach Solomon’s tenure, he coached high school athletes who were ranked nationally and some of whom would go on to intercollegiate career where they were nationally ranked as well. The Dover resident was named as state Coach of the Year five times, conference Coach of the Year three times and in 2000 he as named as the National Girls Coach representing Delaware.

Norman Oliver

Norman “Stormin” Oliver, class of 1985, was inducted for his work as an athletics administrator through his founding of the Stormin’ Classic Basketball Summer League, which ran from 1980 (the year in which he founded it at age 18) to 2000. Beginning with 54 youth participants in its inaugural year, by the summer league’s 20th year there were 3,000 participants. It is the only summer basketball league in Delaware operating statewide. Many of the students who have participated in the Oliver’s summer league – of which education was the most important component – went on to successful careers and thriving lives. Mr. Oliver resides in Wilmington.

DSU's Ricki Ellison served as the event's mistress of ceremonies.

Ricki Ellison, DSU women’s bowling coach, served as the mistress of ceremonies for the 13th annual DAASHF ceremony.